Kid’s Corner

Children's Vision

It is vitally important to have the vision of your child checked. Eye problems in children can develop quickly, and, if left unattended, can lead to serious decrease in vision, which can be irrepairable. Early detection of visual problems greatly increases the chances of successful treatment.

Do Many Children have Vision Problems?

Yes. Recent university studies show:

30% of all children have some form of visual problem

40% of all children with "learning delays" have a visual problem

2 – 5 % of all children have a serious conditions called Lazy Eye.

At what age can I have my child's vision checked?

From age 5 to primary school: Optometrists can accurately determine the vision that a child attains. We will check

The level of vision that a child attains

To rule out a turned eye

To rule out a lazy eye

The co-ordination of the eyes

The level of fine discrmination using both eyes (stereopsis)

That the eyes are healthy and developing normally

To rule out shortsightedness, longsightedness, or astigmatism

That the eyes are working together

From primary school onward, Optometrists can very accurately measure the level of vision, and focussing ability of the eyes.

I think my child is making up symptoms because other kids at school have glasses, and they're the 'in thing.'

This is a lot more common than you might think! We have a number of tests that can be used to check vision, and can easily tell if the symptoms are genuine, and if there is cause for concern. It is impossible to 'fake' through an eye exam.

What symptoms should I look for in my child?

If you are a parent or teacher, some particular symptoms to look for include:

One eye aims in a slightly different direction to the other

Your child squints or closes one eye

Difficulty seeing things you can see

A head tilt or turn

Clumsiness or poor hand/eye co-ordination

Holding books unusually close

Excessive blinking or watery eyes

Inability or reluctance to read for periods of time

Rubbing eyes alot

Skipping lines or words when reading

Learning difficulties

Parents often find it difficult to detect a specific symptom, so if you have ANY concern, please ensure your child has an eye examination.

What happens at an eye test?

It is a simple thing to have an eye test, and we will be able to tell you immediately if there is cause for concern. In some cases, children with problems can be treated with eye exercises rather than glasses. We will give you a full explanation about your child's problem which will include: